Youth Tobacco

District Health Department No. 2 partners with Northern Michigan Regional Entity to conduct tobacco compliance checks at tobacco retailers across the district.  Staff also work with local law enforcement and state law enforcement officials to assist.  The goal of the program is to ensure compliance with the Michigan Youth Tobacco Act and ensure retailers are not selling tobacco to minors.

Tobacco Retailers

Tobacco retailers are responsible for complying with the Michigan Youth Tobacco Act in preventing underage tobacco use. This law requires tobacco retailers to post the Youth Tobacco Act warning sticker near each place of sale. Managers are also responsible for training their employees on properly checking identification. The state of Michigan has developed a Tobacco Retailer Kit to help retailers comply with the law. Penalties of breaking the Youth Tobacco Act may include fines and court costs.

Tobacco Control Act

The Food and Drug Administration has recently implemented the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Public Law 111-21) which enforces the following:

• Prohibits the sale of cigarette packages with less than 20 cigarettes.
• Prohibits tobacco sales through vending machines or self-service displays, except in facilities where persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to enter.
• Prohibits free tobacco samples and tobacco brand sponsorship.
• Restricts tobacco advertisements, marketing & media.
• Bans flavored cigarettes.
• Implements more graphic warning labels.